Adjustable headrest for chiropractic treatment



G. L. ROCK Aug. 16, 1955 ADJUSTABLE HEADREST FOR CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1953 M. M Md j 7 4:7 Am 6 f? 1 Hi. WM g I13 F l I l mmew l fixr III I M 5 5 fil Z G. L. ROCK Aug. 16, 1955ADJUSTABLE HEADREST FOR CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /24 F,7mm" Z w% A; m 5 g a i j gy w 75 6 M w M IN V EN TOR. Ge07ye Zl%% BYUnited States Patent Oiifice Z,715,5 57 Patented Aug. 16, 1955ADJUSTABLE HEADREST FUR CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT George L. Rack,Jonesviile, Mich.

Appiication July 9, 1953, Serial N 0. 366,943

10 Claims. (Cl. 311-40) The present invention relates to a novelapparatus for chiropractic treatment, and more particularly to a novelyieldable section, such as a headrest for use with chiropractic tables,benches, and the like.

As is well known, many chiropractic treatments are carried out byapplying pressure to the patient in order to obtain a desired adjustmentof the vertebrae. One problem encountered by the person administeringthe treatment is the application or" just the right amount of pressureto obtain the desired results. This problem is particularly acute whenit is necessary to apply the pressure with a sudden movement since thedoctor is unable to gauge the pressure accurately. When insufiicientpressure is applied, it is obvious that the desired treatment oradjustment will not be efiected, and if too much pressure is applied,the patient may be subject to undue pain and, in addition, the desiredresults may not be obtained. It is, therefore, a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a novel apparatus for use in chiropractictreatment, whereby a predetermined pressure may be consistently appliedfor a given treatment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatusfor chiropractic treatment, whereby a predetermined pressure may beapplied with a sudden motion to obtain the desired adjustment of thepatient.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novelapparatus for use in chiropractic treatment which includes a movabletable section or the like on which the patient may rest, which tablesection is retained against movement until a predetermined pressure hasbeen applied to the patient.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelapparatus of the above described type, wherein movement of the tablesection is relatively rapid upon the application of a predeterminedpressure, and such movement is abruptly stopped to facilitate a desiredadjustment of the patient.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novelapparatus of the above described type which is of simple and economicalconstruction and which is easy to operate.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view, illustrating achiropractic table embodying the novel features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the chiropractic table shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken along line 3-3in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line55 in Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary cross sectional views similar to Fig. 5,but illustrating the operation of the novel apparatus of this invention;

connected with the top Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line8-8 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 inFig. 5; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a novel element of thisinvention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, achiropractic table 12 illustrating the principles of this invention isshown in Figs. 1 and 2. The table 12 includes a main body section 14 anda headrest table section 16 mounted on the main table section by theadjustable means fully shown and described in my co-pending application,Serial No. 366,949, filed July 9, 1953.

The principles of the present invention are illustrated by the novelheadrest 18 mounted on the table section 16 and shown best in Figs. 1,2, and 3. The headrest 18 includes a base plate member 20 which isadapted to be section 16 by a plurality of pins 22 extending intosuitable apertures in the top section. A second plate member 24 issuperimposed on the plate member 28 and is pivotally connected theretoby hinges 25 and 26 and pivot pins 28 and 30. A suitable padding 32 ofany conventional design adapted to receive the head of a patient issecured to the upper plate member 24 by any suitable means such asscrews 34. With this structure, it is seen that the upper plate member24 and the padding thereon are mounted for pivotal movement about thepins 23 and to and from upper and lower positions.

The plate member 24 is normally retained in its upper position by thestructure shown best in Figs. 4, 5, and 8. This structure includes ahousing 36 disposed in a slot 38 in the upper plate member 24 and havinga generally vertical disposed bore 40 with an open bottom end. Thehousing also includes a generally horizontally extending hollow section42 for a purpose described fully hereinbelow. A plate member 44, whichis secured to the housing by any suitable means, such as welding orbrazing, is provided with suitable apertures for receiving screws 46 forsecurely connecting the housing to the plate member 24.

In order to urge the plate member 24 to its upper position, a pin 48(see Fig. 10) is slidably mounted in the vertical bore 40 of the housing36, as shown best in Figs. 5 and 8. The pin 43 is provided with a bore50 for receiving a compression spring 52, which compression spring actsbetween the bottom of the bore 50 and the top of the housing 36 to urgethe pin downwardly. The lower end of the pin 48 enters a suitable recess54 formed in the lower plate member 20 and engages a plate 56 closingthe bottom of the recess and secured to the plate member 20 by suitablebolt assemblies 58. It is believed to be obvious that downward movementof the pin 48 is limited by the plate 56, and, thus, the spring 52resiliently biases the plate member 24 toward its open position. Inorder to prevent the pin 48 from rotating in the bore 40, a screw 60 isthreaded into the housing 36 and is provided with a pin 62 entering anelongated vertical slot 64 in the side of the pin 48. After theapparatus has been assembled, upward movement of the plate 24 is limitedby means of a pair of screws or the like 66 and 68 threaded into thelower plate member 20 and extending upwardly through aligned aperturesin the housing plate 44 and the upper plate member 24. The upper ends ofthe screws 66 and 68 are provided with enlarged heads 70 and 72,respectively, which are slidable in bores 74 and 76 in the upper platemember and limit upward movement of the plate member 24 by engagementwith the bottoms of these bores. While the upper plate member 24 ispreferably made of wood, it is protected flexing andadjustment fore, theaction of the spring 52 tending to raise the plate against undue wearfrom sliding contact with the screws 66 and 68 since the housing platemember 44 is preferably made of metal and provides bearings slidablyreceiving the screws;

When a patient the head of the patient rests on the padding 32, and thedoctor applies a downward pressure so that the padding and the upperplate member 24 move'downwardly until the upper end ofv the pin 48engages-the top of the housing 36, whereupon such downward movement isabruptly arrested. In accordance with a'featur'e of the presentinvention, means is provided for preventing such downward movement ofthe plate member 24 until the desired pressure has been applied to thepatient. In addition,-as will appear "from the description hereinbelow,this means indicates the exact moment when the doctor should relieve thepressure. This means is shown best in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 9 and includesaplunger 78 slidably mounted in the hollow horizontally extendinghousing section 42. The 1.

plunger 78 is normally urged toward the left when viewed in Fig. '5 bymeans of a compression spring 80 acting between the plunger and a plug82 threaded into the end of the housing section 42. The plunger 78includes a finger 84 which extends into the housing :bore 40 forengagement with the pin 48. As shown in Fig. 5, the free'end of theplunger is cut away to provide an inclined cam surface '86 cooperablewith a similarly inclined cam surface a 88 on the pin 48 for restraining:upward movement of and thus restraining the pin relative to the housing36, downward movement of the plate 24. These cam surfaces areconstructed so that when downward pressure is applied to the platemember .24, the plunger 78 islforced toward the right against the actionof the compression spring 80. The spring 80 is constructed so astofresist such movement until a predetermined pressure has been appliedby the doctor. In addition, the prede'termined is to be treated, it isunderstood that While the operation of the above described apparatus isbelieved to be clear to those skilled in the art, a brief description ofthe operation is as follows. The patient is first positioned on thetable 12 with his head resting on g the padding 32. The doctor thenapplied downward pressure with his hands to the correct location on thepatient.

The doctor applies increasing pressure untila desired predeterminedamount has been reached, whereupon the plunger 78 is camrned toward theright until the cam surfaces 86 and 88 disengage from each' other.

24 move rapidly downwardly until the top of the pin 48 engages the topof the housing. If desired, one or more sponge rubber blocks 100 may besecured to the upper plate member in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4to is sufficiently rapid and abrupt so that it is impossible for thedoctor to remove the pressure before the lower limit pressure maybe'adjusted by controlling the initial compression'of the spring 80 withthethreaded plug 82.

When the predetermined downward pressure has been applied to the platemember 24, the plunger 78 moves toward the right so that the camsurfaces 86 and .88 disengage from each other as shown'in Fig. 6 toprovide a quick release, When :the parts are inFig 6 position, it willbe understood that the holding or retaining affect of the spring 80 issubstantially neutralized by reason of the relative shifting of the camsurfaces 86, 88 to inoperative holding position andthe plate member 24moves rapidly downwardly until the top of the pin 48 en'gages the top ofthe housing 36, as shown best in Fig. 7.

After the downward movement of the upper plate member 24 has beenabruptly stopped, it is desirable to prevent rebound of the plate memberin order to' allow proper .of the patients muscles. Theremember 24'isneutralized by engagement of an upwardly facingabutment surface 98 ontheplunger finger with .a downwardly facing abutment or stop surface92provided by a recess 93 in the side of the pin '48. The lockingengagement of these surfaces 90 and 92 when the plate member 24 is inits'lowermost positionlis illustrated in Fig. 7. v

In order to release the locking surfaces 90 and 92 and permit the spring52 to raise the plate member 24, an

actuating rod 94 is secured to the plunger and extends outwardly throughaligned bores in the threaded plug 82, theplate member 24, and'thepadding 32, as shown best in Figs. 3 and 4. A knob 96 is secured "to theouter end of the rod '94, whereby the rod may be pulled outwardly,thereby tordisengage the locking surfaces '90 and 92. In order toprevent the plunger from turning during actuaof movement has beenreached and the patient has been correctly treated.

. From the above description, is seen that-the present invention hasprovided a novel and simple apparatus,

whereby the application of a predetermined pressure for a giventreatment is assured. In addition, it is seen that the novel apparatusof the present invention not only indicates to thedoctor thatthe correctpressure has been applied, but also indicates substantially the exactmoment when he should start vto relieve the pressure. Further.

more, it is seen that while the present invention has pro-- videdresilient means for retaining the padding against downward movementuntil the predetermined pressure has been applied, means has also-beenprovided to ,pre-

vent rebound of the padding, thus allowing proper adustment of'thepatients muscles. It will be understood that while the principles of thepresent invention have been described with particular reference to aheadrestfor V achiropractic table, the same. principles may beappliedtion by the rod and to assure proper initial assembly, a

b'lock'9 8 is secured within the housing, as shown in Figs. 5., 6, 7.,and '9, for engagement with the upper surface 90 of-theplunger finger.

to other sections of a chiropractic table.

While the preferred embodiment of the presentinvent1on has been shownand described herein, it is obvious that many structural details maybechanged without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims].

I claim: V

1. In an apparatus foruse in chiropractic treatment,

a member for supporting a portion of the .body of .a

patient, means mounting said member for movement to and from upper andlower positions, :means for normally retaining said member in said upperposition and operable to permit said member to be'moved to ,said lowerposition,

and resilient means for locking said last namedmeans .to preventdownward movement of said member until a predetermined downwardpressureis applied to said member and for releasing said member fordownward movement when said predeterminedpressure is applied thereto.

2. I-nan apparatus for use'in chiropractic treatment, a

member for supporting a portion of the body of apatient, means mountingsaid member for movement to. andfrom upper and lower positions,resilient means for. normally supporting said member in said upperposition,

means for retaining said member substantially at said upper positionduring the application of downward pressure thereto until said pressureis built up to a;pre,determined amount and for releasing said memberwhensai'd predetermined amount of pressure has been applied for movementagainst the action of said resilient means-and to said lower position,and means operable when .said member is adjacent said lower :position torender said resilientmeans inefiec'tive, whereby to eliminatesubstantially rebound of said member.

When this I occurs, the padding section and the upper plate member 3. Inan apparatus for use in chiropractic treatment, a base member, a supportmember movably mounted above said base member for movement to and fromupper and lower positions, which support member is for supporting aportion of the body of a patient, pin means mounted on one of saidmembers for movement to and from extended and retracted positions, saidpin means when in its extended position being operatively engageablewith the other of said members for retaining said support member in itsupper position, and spring means for retaining said pin means in itsextended position during the application of downward pressure to saidsupport member until said pressure is built up to a predetermined amountand for releasing said pin means when said predetermined amount ofpressure has been applied and permitting downward movement of thesupport member.

4. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, which includes means forabruptly limiting the downward movement of said support member.

5. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, which includes spring means forresiliently biasing said pin means toward its extended position, lockingmeans for locking said pin means in its retracted position when thesupport member is adjacent its lower position to prevent substantialrebound of said support member, and means for operating said lockingmeans to release the pin means, there by permitting the pin means toreturn to its extended position.

6. An apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein said pin means and saidspring means include cooperating cam surfaces extending at an angle tothe direction of movement of the pin means so that upon the applicationof said predetermined amount of downward pressure, said cam surfacescause movement of the spring means so as to release the pin means.

7. In an apparatus for use in chiropractic treatment, a base member, asupport member movably mounted above said base member for movement toand from upper and lower positions, which support member is adapted tosupport a portion of the body of a patient, one of said members havingan element movably mounted thereon so that a portion of said element ismovable toward and away from the other of said members, said elementwhen in one position retaining said support member in its upperposition, and resiliently biased cam means engageable with said supportelement to retain said support element in said one position until apredetermined amount of downward pressure is applied to said supportmember, whereupon said cam means is operable to release said supportelement and permit downward movement of the support member.

8. An apparatus, as defined in claim 7, which includes spring means forresiliently biasing said support element towards said one position, andreleasable means for locking said support element against movementtoward said one position when the support member is adjacent its lowerposition, whereby to eliminate substantially rebound of said supportmember.

9. An apparatus, as defined in claim 7, wherein said cam means ismounted for reciprocable movement and includes a cam surface and alocking surface, and said support element includes a cam surfacecooperable with said first mentioned cam surface to retain the supportelement in said one position until the application of said predeterminedamount of downward pressure, and said support element includes a lockingsurface engageable with said first mentioned locking surface to restrainthe support element against movement towards said one position after thesupport member has been moved downwardly to its lower position.

10. In an apparatus for use in chiropractic treatment, a member forsupporting a portion of the body of a patient, means mounting saidmember for movement to and from upper and lower positions, and meansretaining said member substantially at the upper position thereof andresistant to downward movement of the number upon application thereto ofa downward pressure up to a predetermined amount and including quickrelease means shiftable upon attainment of the predetermined amount ofdownward pressure to an inoperative position permitting sudden downwardmovement of the supporting member to its lower position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,079,795 Naysmith Nov. 25, 1913 1,194,939 Bishop Aug. 15, 19161,269,354 Williams June 11, 1918 2,381,922 Norris Aug. 14, 19452,571,829 Buckley Oct. 16, 1951

